Out & About

John Lewis-Stempel: Never look after other people's animals

Our countryside columnist does a friend a favour, and ends up having to free a half-ton heifer from a muddy trench.

From smashed glass to smashing teas: The restoration of a 300-year-old glass-roofed teahouse full of historic camellias

The Georgian teahouse at Wentworth Woodhouse has undergone a multi-million pound restoration which has saved the centuries-old camellias which grow within.

Who was the original Jack Russell who gave his name to one of Britain's favourite dog breeds?

Kate Green takes a look at the the legacy of Revd John Russell, the man who gave his name to the Jack Russell and Parson Russell terriers.

How to stop your dog marking his territory and cocking his leg in other people's houses

Ben Randall on how to handle one of the most embarrassing moments for a dog owner.

A walk across the Cheshire Plain, the 200-million-year-old landscape where yesterday’s old industrial sites are today’s nature reserves

Fiona Reynolds heads out for a walk on the Cheshire Plain, where industry and farming are juxtaposed to startling effect.

The RNLI's 200-year journey from being set up in a pub to saving tens of thousands of lives

The brave men and women of the RNLI have been working for two centuries to save the lives of those whose vessels have run in to trouble in the seas around Britain. In 2024 this national institution is celebrating its 200th anniversary in style.

How Country Life launched the career of Alistair Mackenzie, the architect who created Augusta National's iconic golf course

Alister Mackenzie, the golf course architect who created Augusta National Golf Club, was a GP with an enthusiastic sideline in golf until he won a competition in Country Life. Roderick Easdale tells the extraordinary tale.

St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, Heysham: The mythical Lancashire ruins with a heavenly view

Annunciata Elwes takes a look at St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, a Morecambe Bay landmark.

Curious Questions: Why was a lifeboat hauled 13 miles overland in the midst of one of the worst storms of the 19th century?

Martin Fone on the brave men of the RNLI, and the tales of Louisa and Forrest Hall.

How to give your dog his confidence back when he's been upset or disturbed by another dog, by expert trainer Ben Randall

A visiting dog upsetting your own pet can create problems which are hard to break. Ben Randall explains what to do.

The changing face of Britain's favourite dogs, decade by decade

Partial to a poodle? Loopy about labradors? Cuckoo for cocker spaniels? You are not alone, says Victoria Marston, as she discovers the nation’s favourite dog breeds, decade by decade, using figures from the Kennel Club.

The three dog breeds that make the ultimate family pet, according to expert trainer Ben Randall

In decades of working with dogs, Ben Randall has seen every possible breed of dog — these are the three he'd recommend for family life.

Puppy aggression: How to nip it in the bud before it becomes a problem, by award-winning trainer Ben Randall

A reader whose lovely puppy is starting to show worrying behaviour writes — and Ben Randall has some expert advice.

'Stonehenge of the North' saved for the nation

The future of the Neolithic site at Thornborough Henges — which has been dubbed 'The Stonehenge of the North' — has been secured, and the site saved for the nation. Annunciata Elwes reports.

A walk around St Albans and its cathedral — a 'welcoming place, and proud of it'

Fiona Reynolds explores the ancient city of St Albans to discover how its cathedral connects with the people and geography of the surrounding area.

The 10 most romantic declarations of love in film and literature

Stonehenge, Avebury and the stone circles of Britain, with Professor Vicki Cummings

One of Britain's top experts on stone circles, Professor Vicki Cummings, joins the Country Life podcast.

How to deal with a dog who is scared of men, by expert trainer Ben Randall

This week, our A-list dog trainer Ben Randall deals with a tricky topic: an adopted dog who seems to be dealing with past trauma involving men.

The worst-behaved pets in Britain: 'They would grab a cigarette briskly from your lips and fly around the room with it'

From leopards in the dining room and jackdaws in the kitchen to demonic dogs, crazed cats and the ferret who broke into a nursery, Bronwen Riley presents a whodunnit of the worst-behaved pets in the history of British country houses.

How to teach a dog to sit: Five tips from leading dog trainer Ben Randall

Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most important things you can do — and it will help with all sorts of other commands. Ben Randall explains how to get your dog to do it, every time.